by G S Santos
"Good morning, Sir Kaunas!" he said.
Kaunas smiled disinterestedly. "Come in," he said and walked toward him, pretending to help him with the sacks of flour and potatoes, which Wil quickly carried on his shoulders.
"Thank you," muttered Kaunas, as he hobbled, trying to reach Wil's pace, and crossed the threshold into the inner plaza, then onto the door to the main hall, his home full of dust and bags of food. Wil dropped the bags inside while Kaunas closed the door behind, leaving the cold breeze out.
Wil let out a sigh and stretched his back.
"Do you need help with anything else?"
"Not really but, it's cold outside." Kaunas invoked basic courtesy, and admitted to himself that being alone for hours plunged him into an abyss of uncertainty. Any company was fine, even if it was that lowlifes.
"Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No need, my brother..."
Kaunas hated being called that. They did not have any resemblance. Who did he think he was?
"Something to drink?" asked Kaunas.
"You mean a real drink."
"Sit down, Wil, I'm going to go find something good, all right?"
"Well." Wil sat down at the table and stretched out his arms. Kaunas turned and walked toward the door, heading for the cellar outside. Suddenly, he heard another horse trotting on the bridge.
He turned his head sharply. "Hey, did you see anyone else on the road?"
Wil raised an eyebrow. "No. What’s wrong?"
"Who is that?"
The trot echoed closer to them, until it resounded on the bridge and stopped in front of the gate. Kaunas went pale. Did they come a month and a half before? And he had left the gate to the bridge open! He swallowed. Was that the end? He could walk, but it had taken him a long time to recover, he could not allow them to do something like that again.
"I do not remember seeing anyone. Well, maybe I did." Wil jumped up.
"They must have been behind you! Who did you see?"
"Well... At first there were several riders, but I did not think they were headed here."
"Several?" Kaunas felt his heart hammer faster. "Tell me. Were they armed?"
"Now that you mention it. There was this guy with a sword and armor."
Suddenly, the hooves of the horse advanced on the wooden bridge, while Kaunas squeezed his eyes.
"What’s wrong?" asked Wil.
"Silence!" Kaunas shouted, unable to hide the fear on his face and leaning on the cane to walk toward the cupboard.
"I'll carry you on my shoulders." Wil approached Kaunas, but Kaunas made a disgusted gesture and shook his head.
"Leave me alone!" he said, trying to quicken his pace while he moved the cane faster, until suddenly, he fell to the ground and let out a scream.
"Brother Kaunas!" Wil hurried to take him by the arm to help him to his feet. Suddenly, they heard the hooves of the horse echo in front of the door, then stop. A man dismounted.
"Lower your voice!" Kaunas whispered as he heard footsteps approaching. Wil helped him to his feet and carried him, leaning on his shoulders, into the room. Suddenly they heard knocks on the door of the house. Kaunas swallowed.
"Blast!" Wil said. "I think he's going to force the door."
Kaunas grimaced in horror and looked at Wil. "I forgot to lock the door!"
"What?" Wil was pale.
"He’s gonna open it!"
Wil swallowed and jumped up. "Do you have any weapons around here?" Wil whispered, looking around.
Kaunas shook his head.
"You wait here." Wil went on and crawled toward the door, his gaze wandering around the room as if searching for something. Then he took a clay plate and hid behind the doorframe, plate raised.
"Do you want to use me as bait?" Kaunas showed him his teeth.
"You'll see," said Wil.
The door opened, and sunlight was the first to pierce through. Kaunas swallowed as a high boot stepped on the ground. The silhouette gleamed in the sun. A man, with a sheathed sword dangling from the waist. It seemed like an apparition.
Suddenly, Kaunas recognized him. "Wil! Don’t move!"
But Wil did not hear. He butted the plate against the man’s head, but the visitor dodged like a panther and punched him in the stomach. Wil fell backward on his buttocks, and the plate broke into pieces.
Kaunas looked from bottom to top, recognized the gray hair, short and disheveled, covered by a leather hat. His face was tired and full of wrinkles, with a patch covering one eye.
"Young Kaunas," said the man.
Suddenly, Wil jumped up behind the stranger's back and lunged at him.
"Wil, leave him alone! He is a friend!"
Wil was about to stumble, and looked at Kaunas, perplexed.
"Yes." Kaunas sat up with an effort. "Excuse me, Sir Van Preussen. We did not know it was you."
"Don't worry, boy," he said as he ran toward Kaunas with the energy of a young man, took him by the arm, and helped him to stand up. How ironic that now Kaunas was weaker than an old man.
"Oh, but look what they did to you, young man."
"I'm getting better," he answered.
Van Preussen sighed. "I was afraid this would happen." His voice was grave and solemn. I learned about what happened to your father. What a pity! He was such a noble and strong man. I am deeply saddened by his fate."
"Yes." Kaunas shook his head. "If only we had acted better from the beginning. But, Sir Van Preussen, please sit down. Make yourself comfortable. My castle is your home."
"Gladly," Van Preussen replied, keeping his hand on Kaunas's shoulder. He walked with him at his side as if Kaunas were an old man. He would feel humiliated, but he knew he deserved it in that state.
Wil was still blinking behind them. He seemed overwhelmed.
"Ah." Kaunas stopped. "That one there is Wil."
"Good morning, Wil." Van Preussen turned to Kaunas. "Your loyal servant, I suppose?"
"Something like that." Kaunas laughed. Wil frowned. "Wil." Kaunas snapped his fingers. "Go get some wine."
Kaunas walked with his arm around Van Preussen's shoulder until he was seated at the table in the living room.
"It is so good to see you, Sir Van Preussen. What brings you here?"
"The rumors that I heard. I had to visit my old friends. And how to forget your father." He turned his head and pointed to the portrait of his father hanging on the wall. It was from when he was young, with a ridiculous haircut and mustache divided into two pointed sections like sewing needles.
"Yes. My father..."
"I miss him too, son. Really, I'm sorry. Which reminds me." He looked from side to side. "Where's little Ade?"
Kaunas could not help but laugh, memories returning to his mind. When they were children, Van Preussen loved to carry Adelphine in his arms, while she, in turn, hated him with all her heart. She had peed on him more than once.
"I'm ashamed to say it." Kaunas coughed.
"What happened?" The man took on an expression of horror.
"Well... She got a job in the East. She says she was invited by the government."
"From the East? I did not know she was so full of talent! But did she leave you alone like this?"
"She believes it can help us in the long term," Kaunas said.
"It's better than nothing. I hope the poor, little one does well. And I insist, I did not know she was so full of talent."
"Well." Kaunas sighed. "She seems to have a gift for the supernatural."
"So she is gifted. It sounds good to me. We always wanted a saint among friends or family."
"Saint?" Kaunas was confused. He cursed in his mind for letting her go. He could have done much more to prevent his sister from leaving on that trip. "Good. So, Sir Van Preussen. What do you say? Would you like to drink something?" said Kaunas.
"Well, meeting after so long deserves a celebration!"
"All right."
"And that boy? Where did he go? Who is he, a servant?" Van Preussen asked.
"Yes." Kaunas laughed and looked around. But he only heard the horse neigh outside, then take off and gallop away. Wil had left.
Kaunas took the cane in his hand and hurried to the cellar.
"Don't bother," Van Preussen said. "Tell me where the wine is, and I shall bring it."
It did not go well with the ethics of the guest and the owner of the house, but on that occasion, it was better to change the rules.
"All right," sighed Kaunas. "In the cellar, here below, there is a wine collection. Some are already spoiled, but there will be other good ones."
"Good thing you mentioned it," said the old man, hurrying to open and descend the stairs. After a few minutes, he came up with two glasses and a bottle wrapped in parchment. He had a childish smile, and laughed.
"This was your old man's favorite," he declared, putting the glasses on the table and serving. "Vintage of almost fifteen years ago."
Kaunas sighed. Why was he still talking about his father?
"Are you still practicing your swordsmanship?" asked Van Preussen.
"Well... I tried, but in the end I decided it was not for me."
Van Preussen looked horrified. "But you had talent! Come on, if you had a bit more dedication…"
Kaunas raised his glass and swallowed. Good wine. Papa had good taste.
The old man began to laugh. "Ah, those were the days. Before Jogälion. That Jogälion. How has he governed?"
"He is efficient. He has cleaned the streets. But he is also good friends with Siwelzac. That has not been very good for us."
"So are the things. Every coin has two faces."
"And so it is," Kaunas added.
Van Preussen refilled his glass and took a sip. He whirled his cup.
"Listen, Kaunas. I was very close with your father for so many years. Too bad I had to go back to my land. But now I want to expand my work here. I have also spoken with members of the court of your king."
"Really?"
"Yes. The boys want me here. They know about my experience, they esteem it highly. And...I've even been offered to train some of his men.
"Well... You did not do a good job with me."
Van Preussen looked offended, but then laughed. "That’s because you're a lazy scoundrel."
"I admit it," said Kaunas.
"Well, going back to the subject. Since I will be here, I can support you a little. At least give you protection. Luckily, I am still respected both here and in the Brightlands."
"But what will happen to Siwelzac?" Kaunas sighed. "They come next month... They expect us to pay them something, but there's nothing to pay them with! I do not know what they are going to do to me."
"Ah, those scoundrels have nothing to say against someone like me. I've seen the world, boy. I have survived worse situations than you. I lost my leg. I have a bronze leg, by the way. And I've survived so long, a puppet threatening my old friends is nothing."
Kaunas cleared his throat. "But what can we do?" His face became solemn.
"But there's something else, my young friend." Van Preussen looked him in the eyes with his only visible blue pupil.
"What?"
"That as you are right now, without any talent other than the revelry, you will not go out of your way. You will not come out of anything. As much as someone or the gods themselves help you, you can only go where your feet take you. And it will not tke you far."
"What should I do?"
"You recover, you learn to handle a sword, you learn to administer, to defend yourself... And to counterattack. When fiefdoms begin with guys like Siwelzac, that will keep you afloat."
"But Sir Van Preussen, you cannot escape from things. The priests say it, it’s destiny. I've always been like this. I cannot change. It is my fault. But it cannot be changed anymore."
"That’s where you’re wrong, young man."
"What can I change? We are born for something. I was not born for that. I need someone to look out for me."
"You offended me with your words. Now, this is my condition. Since childhood, my father paid me to become a gentleman. That's the first thing I should have done for him. I failed at first, but not now. So," he continued, "you accept my help, as soon as you recover, I will begin your training. We will bring people here. And this will be my home. It is understood?"
Kaunas blinked. Things were going very fast. But for the moment, accepting it would be much safer than staying alone. The old man was one of the greatest warriors the world had ever known, and although he was already an old man, he knew countless things. He knew everything about war. So Kaunas just looked at him, stunned, and nodded.
"I will turn this place..." Van Preussen had risen to his feet, his back to Kaunas, "...into a fortress. Do you understand? And then it will be you." He pointed at him. "You will be the one who either regains the glory of your family's castle or builds a new one. Here! Where this decrepit house stands. I will make you a true nobleman, son! I will not fail your father. Never again."
Chapter XI:
The Secret of the Hill
The carriage rolled through the end of a paved path, over the rocks. Adelphine was between sleep and consciousness, with her head against the back of the carriage, her neck in pain, while her mind faded into the dream world.
She dreamed that she was a princess, the daughter of the highest king, and that she had everything. A handsome gentleman with brown hair and a crooked smile escorted her carriage. She was dressed in a long, golden dress, the color of the sun, of victory. Her hair, for some reason, in the dream was jet black and bright, not pumpkin colored. She looked out of the window, and the town leapt for joy under a shower of cherry blossoms. Her joy was full.
But now, when she awoke from her dreams, she was cornered, with men everywhere: muscular men, others frail but with sharp and incredulous minds. Through the window, the only crowd was the trees and stones that seemed to scowl at her for being ignorant about the world around her.
It seemed that they had secrets that they could not tell anyone but the spirits and the oldest beasts in the woods.
"Are you thinking of them?" said Magzas.
"Of whom?"
"Of the trees," she muttered
"Yes. How do you know?"
"Because I see you looking at the trunks and the branches."
"It feels liberating to look at them... Especially after spending hours in the city. You know, with the stench of scum and people."
"But it's not that. You are wondering what they think."
Adelphine nodded and hid her eyes.
"You can almost look at their faces," Magzas whispered at her side. "I see them. In a place like this, they are calm. It does not bother them to see men go by. Unless they come carrying axes. They hate it and fear it as much as we feel terrified when another man points his spear at us."
"And what secrets do they hold?"
"Maybe for them, they are things of every day. See the sun and try to reach it in vain. Feel the wind through its leaves. The old pleasures. See their flowers be born, which for them is like making love. Fruit, bear fruit, if it is the case, see that their offspring are born. The same thoughts men have, in a sense."
Adelphine listened attentively. "Where do you get all that from?"
"Where do I get what?" declared Magzas.
"The things you have just said... They are beautiful."
"It’s nothing. It's just... It's what I know."
Adelphine sighed. The men beside her either kept their eyes closed, pretending to sleep, or were absorbed in another world. But she felt as if the world belonged to her and Magzas.
They looked out the window, at the trees and the snow-capped mountains at the bottom of the landscape. The pines were the proudest, ever green, and untainted by the dry autumn.
They were going uphill. And to the north. The north of the north, far from the sea. Beyond the northern wind.
"What were you saying?" Adelphine asked. "You have not visited the North, have you?"
"T
he deep North... No."
"And what's there? Beyond the bandit-realms, beyond the beautiful cities like Ingiria and Stilinia. What lies beyond the north wind?"
"Beasts of ice. Bears and wolves, I think. I've read that in some bestiaries, also mountains of magic and strength."
"Tell me about the magic, Magzas. There are many things that I want to know, that I cannot understand. They are not written in books."
"I do not know if I know anything that works for you," Magzas said, head down.
"Do not be modest! You know everything."
"But what do you want to know?"
"Tell me about the spirits."
"Spirits?" Magas looked at her uncomfortably and swallowed hard.
"Yes, the fairies and the forests elves. Those who help sorcerers."
Magzas looked from one side to the other. "They are there. Everywhere. Everything has a spirit, even if you do not believe it. The brooks, the wood, the stones. Everything has a spirit."
"And the fairies?"
"They talk to people who are ready."
"What a boring trip!" Tristan's voice interrupted the conversation. He straightened and stretched his arms to the front of the carriage and knocked. "Hey! Boys! We've been here for hours. You have to stretch your legs for a while."
The driver did not respond.
"What do you expect?" He insisted. “That we reach the mountain before stepping out of the carriage?"
"Are you hungry?" Adelphine asked, opening one of the vessels that had been stuck to her body in search of a barley biscuit given to her by Wil's sister.
"Do not bother," he said dryly. "They do not know that a big guy like me needs to constantly fill up. And you?"
"I'm very hungry," she said as her stomach roared.
"Do you cook a lot?"
"I used to cook stews. That’s all I knew. But they were good." She felt his appetite open and the taste of a stew with broth of meat cross his thoughts, like a dream. She had not had a stew like that for years.
"What makes me happiest in this world is food. In Ladania there are delicious stews. But do you know what I want? Dumplings stuffed with ground pork. It is a Navgarodian delight."
Adelphine remembered the taste of the steamed dumplings, and her stomach felt empty like an air bag that growled like a dragon.
